The Artist’s Son Claude or ‘Coco’ c. 1906

Pierre-Auguste Renoir made this drawing of his son Claude, nicknamed 'Coco', using chalk on paper. The choice of chalk is critical. It's a medium that allows for both quick sketches and more detailed studies, capturing the soft, fleeting qualities of light and form. Notice how Renoir uses the chalk to build up the image, layering strokes to create depth and volume, particularly in Coco's face and hair. The texture of the paper also plays a role, subtly influencing the chalk and adding to the overall sense of softness. Drawing was a fundamental skill, taught in the academy as a basis for all art, from painting to sculpture. Yet it was also a very intimate medium, close to the hand of the artist. In that sense, this drawing gives us insight into Renoir's practice, and also a tender glimpse into the domestic world of the artist and his son. Considering the materials, making, and context is essential to understanding the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.